US4193672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contact lens with improved interior surface
Assignee: Dow Silicones Corp
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Filing: 1978-09-25
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Granted: 1980-03-18
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Expires: 1998-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A contact lens has an improved interior surface which includes an optical zone and peripheral zone. The optical zone has a radius of curvature similar to that of the cornea of the eye to be fitted. The peripheral zone defines an arc which is substantially tangent to the optical zone at its edge and which intersects the curved line defined by the selected diameter of the lens at the selected sagittal depth. The lens can be formed from a hard or flexible material and can be made by a lathe turning or by molding.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne E. Trombley
- 👤 Ronald G. Seger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:21
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02C; G02C7/00; G02C7/02; G02C7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A contact lens having an interior surface which comprises: (a) an optical zone with a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the cornea of the eye to be fitted at its optical centerline; and (b) a curved peripheral section extending between the optical zone and the edge of the lens, the peripheral section describing an arc which is tangent to the optical zone at its edge, whereby the lens demonstrates central and edge contact on the eye with tearfilm clearance there between and with tearfilm exchange upon blinking.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A contact lens having an interior surface which comprises: (a) an optical zone with a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the cornea of the eye to be fitted at its optical centerline; and (b) a curved peripheral section extending between the optical zone and the edge of the lens, the peripheral section describing an arc which is tangent to the optical zone at its edge, whereby the lens demonstrates central and edge contact on the eye with tearfilm clearance there between and with tearfilm exchange upon blinking.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The lens of claim 1 wherein the optical zone has a diameter of from about 5.5 to 10.5 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lens of claim 1 wherein the lens diameter is from about 7.5 to about 16 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lens of claim 1 wherein the radius of curvature of the optical zone ranges from about 6.5 to about 9 mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lens of claim 1 wherein the lens thickness at the optical zone centerline ranges from about 0.03 to about 0.7 mm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The lens of claim 1 wherein the lens thickness at its outer edge ranges from about 0.03 to about 0.1 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lens of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the optical zone is from about 5.5 to about 10.5 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lens of claim 1 which is formed from a relatively hard material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lens of claim 8 wherein the relatively hard material is selected from the group consisting of polymethylmethacrylate, silicone resin, polycarbonate resin and cellulose acetate butyrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The lens of claim 1 which is formed from a flexible material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The Lens of claim 10 wherein the flexible material is selected from the group consisting of hydrogels and silicone rubber.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
154 words
The method for making a contact lens having an interior surface which demonstrates central and edge contact on the eye to be fitted with tearfilm clearance there between and with tearfilm exchange upon blinking, the method comprising: (a) forming the interior surface of the optical zone so that it has a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the cornea of the eye to be fitted at its optical centerline; (b) forming the interior surface of a peripheral section so that it describes an arc between the edge of the optical zone and the edge of the lens, the edge of the lens being defined by a specific diameter of between about 7.5 and about 16 mm and the selected sagittal depth of the lens, the arc being tangent to the optical zone at the edge thereof; and (c) forming the exterior surface of the lens to provide optical correction.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
154 words
The method for making a contact lens having an interior surface which demonstrates central and edge contact on the eye to be fitted with tearfilm clearance there between and with tearfilm exchange upon blinking, the method comprising: (a) forming the interior surface of the optical zone so that it has a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the cornea of the eye to be fitted at its optical centerline; (b) forming the interior surface of a peripheral section so that it describes an arc between the edge of the optical zone and the edge of the lens, the edge of the lens being defined by a specific diameter of between about 7.5 and about 16 mm and the selected sagittal depth of the lens, the arc being tangent to the optical zone at the edge thereof; and (c) forming the exterior surface of the lens to provide optical correction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the lens is formed from a machinable material and the steps of forming are accomplished by lathe turning.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the lens is formed from a moldable material and the steps of forming are accomplished by subjecting such material to the action of a mold having concave and convex dies.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-03-18 | 1983-09-17 | 1984-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-03-18 | 1987-09-17 | 1988-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-03-18 | 1991-09-17 | 1992-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |